Champions Newtonmore rocked by leaders Lovat
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
LOVAT have opened up a four point lead at the top of the Orion Premiership following their pivotal 2-0 win at the home of four-in-a-row champions Newtonmore.
And Lovat’s international defender Calum Cruden hopes that the defeat of the champions on their own back yard has punctured the aura of invincibility that has built up around them since winning four successive titles.
“They are still a very good side but we hope that other teams will view them a bit differently after Saturday’s result which proves that they can be beaten,” he said.
Lovat were the last team to beat ’More at the Eilan in the league just over two years ago but despite that, the Badenoch side went on to successfully defend their title.
Saturday’s match, billed as a top of the table clash, proved to be a disappointing spectacle, badly affected by a near gale force wind blowing across the pitch.
The visitors rode their luck, especially in the first half, when the champions dominated possession. Lovat goalkeeper Stuart MacDonald kept his side in the match with a series of fine saves — a point acknowledged by Cruden.
“We were under the cosh in the first half but I felt our defence dealt with everything that came their way. On the few occasions they did break through, Stuart came to our rescue.
“After the break the pressure eased and our goals came at the right time for us,” he added.
Kevin Bartlett struck twice for Lovat, his first coming in the 54th minute and his second, the killer goal, came seven minutes from time.
Cruden refuses to look too far ahead, with two cup ties coming up, starting with Kilmallie away in the MacTavish Cup
“That will be our focus. The league is not even at the halfway stage so we will not be getting ahead of ourselves,” he said.
For Newtonmore, the day was one to forget with top defender Norman Campbell forced put early on with hamstring damage and Evan Menzies and Andy MacKintosh also limping off.
Glenurquhart bounced back from two successive defeats with a 4-1 defeat of Inveraray whose faltering start to the season continued. The match was switched to Drumnadrochit after Inveraray’s Winterton pitch failed a Saturday morning inspection.
Despite this it was the Royal Burgh side who settled first and the Glen had to endure an uncomfortable opening spell before Lewis MacLennan made the breakthrough in the 40th minute and Fraser Heath added a second three minutes later.
Inveraray pulled on back in the 48th minute with Euan McMurdo finishing a set piece move from a free hit but the Glen restored their two goal advantage in the 63rd minute when keeper Stuart MacKintosh converted a penalty. Heath hit his second minutes later to complete the scoring.
Kingussie meanwhile continue to delight their fans and after a 5-2 win at Spean Bridge over Lochaber, they have moved to third in the table one point behind Newtonmore.
Teenager Savio Genini struck a hat-trick with a Lee Bain double completing the scoring for Kingussie. Bain was later red carded along with Lochaber captain Martin Johnstone.
Kyles Athletic picked up their first win of the new season with a 3–1 win over Kinlochshiel.
A Roddy MacDonald double sandwiched a Roberto Zavaroni strike for Kyles, with Keith MacRae hitting ’Shiel’s solitary counter, all the goals coming in the opening 23 minutes.
Inverness were made to struggle before overcoming Kilmory 5-2 in a rearranged Balliemore Cup first round tie at the Bught.
Goals from Martin Davidson (penalty), Dougie Rankin, Conor Golabeck, John Maclennan and Charlie MacDonald eased the Highland capital side into the last eight where they have a home tie against Oban Celtic. Ally MacArthur and Hal Jones scored for the visitors.
In the Marine Harvest National Division two of the scheduled matches failed to go ahead with the Kilmallie-Glasgow Mid Argyll match postponed with venues at each club unplayable while the teams preparing for the Fort William v Oban Camanachd match were stood down as a mark of respect following the tragic death of Oban teenager Scott Goldie, who was a player with the club’s reserve side Lochside Rovers.
Caberfeidh gave visitors Bute a hot reception knocking eight past the struggling Rothesay side who travelled North with just the minimum squad of twelve players.
Craig Morrison hit four for the Sky Blues with another youngster Liam Symonds also on target. Ally Maclennan with a double and Martin MacDonald were the other Caberfeidh scorers. Graham Fisher struck in the first half for the visitors.
After three successive defeats Beauly got their league campaign back on track with a 5-0 win over Glenorchy. This match was switched to Braeview after the Glen’s Mart Park at Dalmally became waterlogged following heavy overnight rain.
With a 4.30pm throw-up time, Beauly wasted no time catching the visitors cold with Sean Stewart and Jack MacDonald scoring in the 7th and 9th minutes.
Beauly dominated possession but were guilty of wasteful finishing. However, they were boosted three minutes before half-time with a timely strike from David Maclean.
Despite shooting into a strong wind, Beauly continued to have the edge and further goals from Marc Maclachlan and MacDonald with his second secured the points, moving Beauly away from the danger zone.
